Laron Ronald Williams

Serial Killer

Laron Ronald Williams

Overview

Laron Ronald Williams was an American convicted serial killer whose known crimes were centered in Tennessee between 1977 and 1981. He was first convicted for the murder of Terra L. Wedlaw in Nashville, then later became the subject of a statewide manhunt after escaping from the Memphis Correctional Center in April 1981. During that escape period, he killed Memphis Police Lieutenant Clarence P. Cox and Reverend John Jay Jackson, an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Williams' criminal history stands out because his known murders occurred in separate circumstances: one involved the killing of a young woman in Nashville, while the later two occurred after he had already been imprisoned and escaped custody. Authorities also looked at him in connection with other similar strangulation deaths, but his confirmed murder convictions were tied to three victims: Terra L. Wedlaw, Lieutenant Clarence P. Cox, and Reverend John Jay Jackson.

Confirmed Victims

• Terra L. Wedlaw - October 18, 1977 - Nashville, Tennessee. Wedlaw was 19 years old and had reportedly come to Nashville from Tampa, Florida. Williams was convicted of murdering her after an encounter at the Capitol Park Inn. Her death was attributed to strangulation. Williams later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Davidson County and received a 10-year prison sentence on January 4, 1979.
• Lieutenant Clarence P. Cox Jr. - May 12, 1981 - Memphis, Tennessee. Cox was a 53-year-old Memphis Police Department lieutenant. He encountered Williams while Williams was an escaped prisoner. During the attempted arrest, Williams gained control of Cox's service weapon and fatally shot him. Williams was later convicted of first-degree murder in Shelby County for Cox's death.
• Reverend John Jay Jackson - May 14, 1981 - Jackson, Tennessee. Jackson was a 35-year-old Catholic priest and assistant pastor at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He was killed inside the church rectory during a burglary. Evidence presented at trial showed that he died from a gunshot wound, with signs of a struggle inside the rectory. Williams was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection with Jackson's death.

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Confirmed Victims: (3)

Terra Wedlaw Age: (19), Date of Death: 1977-10

Suspected Victims:

Mary Jo Corn Age: (24), Date of Death: 1977

Bessie Wallace Age: (24), Date of Death: 1977

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